Folding table having u-shaped leg pairs each securable to underside at triangularly spaced points



March 19, 1957 J. CVIKICH 2,785,936

FOLDING TABLE HAVING U-SHAPED LEG PAIRS EACH SECURABLE TO UNDERSIDE AT TRIANGULARLY SPACED POINTS 2 Sh eets-Sheet l Filed May 25, 1955 j/ E -Z W:

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March 19, 1957 J. CVIKICH 2,785,936

FOLDING TABLE HAVING U-SHAPED LEG PAIRS EACH SECURABLE TO UNDERSIDE. AT TRIANGULARLY SPACED POINTS Filed May 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FOLDING TABLE HAVING U-SHAPED LEG PAIRS EACH SECURABLE T O UNDERSIDE AT TRIAN- GULARLY SPACED POINTS Joseph Cvikich, Lincoln Park, Mich.

Application May 25, 1955, Serial No. 510,880

11 Claims. (Cl. 311-84) This invention relates to tables with folding legs, and more particularly to a folding leg construction adapted for use with larger tables or with smaller size tables for occasional use.

The construction of tables having folding legs presents several problems which must be overcome to provide a table having maximum stability and usefulness as well as ease of storage and handling. Various types of folding tables have been used in the past, but previous arrangements have had disadvantages which it is a general object of the present invention to overcome. In some types, the folding legs are individually pivoted at the four table corners necessitating individual manipulation of each leg when the table is set up or collapsed. Moreover, the presence of the legs at the table edge in this known type of construction tends to restrict the leg room of persons sitting at the table. Another known type of construction is illustrated by Johnson Patent No. 1,560,912, in which the legs extend angularly from the center of the table toward opposite edges. This type of construction requires relatively large angularity of the legs in order to achieve proper stability. Since the legs must be relatively long in order to achieve a normal table height of about thirty inches, this construction is only suitable for relatively long tables in order that the legs, when folded, will be within the confines of the table periphery.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding table leg construction which affords a high degree of stability and at the same time allows ample leg room at all points around the periphery of the table.

It is another object to provide a folding table of the above nature which is adapted for use with tables of all shapes and sizes, and in which full table height may be achieved with legs which are foldable within the peripheral confines of even smaller sizes of table.

It is a further object to provide a folding-leg table hav ing the above characteristics, which can be easily constructed with relatively few parts, and in which the legs can be locked in their extended position and collapsed to their folded position by a few simple movements.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table incorporating the folding leg construction of this invention, showing the relative positions of the struts and legs;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view taken in the direction of the arrow of Figure 1 with the legs in extended position, showing the locking means for the table legs;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and showing the clamping action of the locking means;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but with the legs in folded position, showing the relative disposition of the legs and the table top;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of States Patent the invention, generally similar in principle to that of Figures 1-4 but with a round table top and a different folding arrangement;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view taken in the direction of the arrow 6 of Figure 5, showing the locking means for the table legs;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 6 and showing the construction of the locking means; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, but with the legs in folded position.

As shown in Figures 1-4, the table comprises a top 11 of square shape and a pair of U-shaped leg units generally indicated at 12 and 13 respectively. The size of the illustrated table top is approximately card table size, although it will be appreciated that the invention could be used with tables of any suitabie dimensions. Leg units 12 and 13 form four spaced legs, the pair of legs formed on each leg unit being movable in unison. In particular, leg units 12 and 13 each comprise a central or locking section 14 and a pair of leg sections 15 extending angularly or in flared fashion from section 14. The length of central sections 14 are preferably such as to enable them to be clamped or otherwise locked to the table top underside, and to afford the desired spacing between the leg sections. The length of legs may be chosen according to the desired height of the table top, bearing in mind the angularity of the legs when in their extended position. Leg units 12 and 13 may each be fabricated of several sections but are preferably constructed of a single piece of tubular stock bent into the required shape.

The means for movably securing leg units 12 and 13 to the underside of table 11 comprises a pair of struts 16 for each leg unit. As shown best in Figures 2 and 4, each strut 16 is pivotally supported at one end by a bearing 17 secured to the underside of table top 11, the bearings for each pair of struts preferably having a common axis. The locations of bearings 17, intermediate the center and periphery of the table, are such as to be spaced outwardly from the central securing means for the legs, described below, diagonally toward the edges of the table. In other words, the bearings are so positioned as to provide maximum stability in all directions in which force on the table top may be directed. The other ends of each pair of struts 16 are rigidly secured at spaced points, by welding or otherwise, to a supporting shaft 18 extending between intermediate portions of legs 15. Bearings 19 are pro vided on legs 15 for rotatably supporting shafts 18 on the legs. It will be noted in Figure 1 that when in operative position, struts 16 extend angularly from supporting shafts 18 in upward and outward directions so that forces exerted on outer portions of the tabletop will be transmitted to legs 15. The positioning of supporting shafts 18 on legs 15 is preferably such that the shafts will not interfere with the leg locking assembly when the legs are in folded position, as shown in Figure 4.

The means for locking leg units 12 and 13 in their extended position is best seen in Figures 2 and 3, and comprises a base 21 secured to the central portion of the underside of table top 11 by bolts 22 or similar fastening means. The sides of base 21 are provided with flanges 23, these flanges having slots 24 in their opposite ends for the reception of locking sections 14 of leg units 12 and 13. The slots are slightly wider than the diameter of locking sections 14, and the lower lips 25 of the slots may be shorter than the upper lips so that sections 14 may be more readily received in the slots. The inner ends of slots 24 have fillets 26 with approximately the same radii as sections 14.

A pair of angles 27 are disposed between flanges 23, being secured to base 21 and table top 11 by bolts 28. The outer legs of angles 27 are disposed adjacent the inner 3 ends of 'slots 24 and are apertured to rotatably support a locking or clamping bar 28. This clamping bar is pro vided at its opposite ends with a pair of clamping portions 29 each havinga curvature approximately that of sections 14. Clamping bar 28 is provided with a transversely extending handle 31 accommodated by recesses 32in flanges locking sections 14 to hold them against movement.

When in its unlocking position, shown in Figure 4, clamping portions 29 of clamping bar 28 are rotated approximately 180 and are clear of slots 24, permitting withdrawal of locking sections 14.

Means are also provided for holding leg units 12 and 13 in their collapsed or folded position. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of spring retaining clips 33 are secured to the underside of table top 11 in such manner that one leg 15 of each leg unit will be retained in folded position. As shown in Figure 4, the embodiment of Figures 14- is folded by removing locking sections 14 from their respective slots and then reversing their movement and carrying them in the same direction toward which they extended when the table was upright. In other words, in this method of folding, the legs when in their folded position point toward the same table edge toward which they extended before the folding operation. Clips 33 are thus located at positions where they will receive one leg 15 of each leg unit as it approaches its folded position parallel to the table top. Figure 4 shows leg unit 13 adjacent the underside of table top 11 while leg unit 12 overlies leg unit 13. In order that both leg units may be parallel to the table top when folded, kinked or bent portions 34 may be provided in struts 16 of leg unit 12 adjacent bearings 17 to position leg unit 12 properly with respect to the other parts of the assembly. The spacing of clips 33 from the underside of table top 1 1 may also be adjusted to accommodate the folded condition.

In operation of the embodiment of Figures 14, assuming an initial condition in which the legs are folded as shown in Figure 4, one end of a leg 15 of leg unit 12 will be grasped by the operator and lifted from the underside of table top 11. Leg unit 12 will be released from its clip 33, and as the end of leg 15 is lifted, locking section 14 of leg unit 12 will be drawn toward the locking assembly due to the pivotal connections provided by struts 16 and supporting shaft 18. Locking section 14 will be placed in its slot 24, and the same action will be repeated for leg unit 13. It will be observed that only two basic movements are required to bring all four legs 15 into their extended position, the legs moving in pairs with each leg unit. After both locking sections 14- are in place within slots 24, handle 31 will be grasped and swung into its locking position. During its movement clamping portions 29 of bar 28 will engage locking sections 14 and will force these sections against the inner ends of slots 24. After the legs have been locked, the table may be set upright and is in condition to be used.

When it is desired to fold the table, it is first laid on one side. Locking handle 31 is swung into its unlocking position, releasing locking sections 14 of leg units 12 and 13. Leg unit 13 and its struts '16 are placed in folded position flush against the underside of table 11 by pushing downwardly on one leg 15, until unit 13 is received by a retaining clip 33. Leg unit 12 is then folded in a similar manner, so that it overlies leg unit 13 and has one leg 15 retained by the other clip.

It will be observed that during each operation, Whether setting up or folding, only three simple operations are required, involving leg units 12'and 13 and clamp 28.

When the legs are extended they are positioned inwardly from the table periphery, allowing ample leg room for the table occupants. Due to the firm locking of the legs and their connections at angularly spaced points to the table top, a high degree of stability is attained. in particular, each leg unit is secured to the table top at slots 24 and at bearings 17, which form four trapezcidally spaced securing points as seen in Figure 1. Since in its broader aspects the invention contemplates the use of locking means other than that shown, it could be stated that a generally triangular arrangement of securing points is provided by the locking means and the struts for each leg unit. It should also be noted that the legs extend to the ground at a relatively steep angle, thereby decreasing the required length to achieve normal table height. Due to this fact, and because of the novel folding arrangement, the legs when folded are disposed entirely Within the peripheral confines of the table, even though it be of small size, thus facilitating storage and handling.

Figures 58 illustrate a modified form of the invention which is similar in principle to the previous embodiment but incorporates a round table top 35 and discloses a somewhat different folding arrangement. A pair of leg units 36 and 37 of flared U-shaped construction have central locking section 38 and leg 39. A pair of struts 41 are provided for each locking unit, these struts being supported at one end by bearings 42 secured to the underside of table 35. A supporting shaft 43 is rotatably secured at its opposite ends to legs 39 of each leg unit and struts 41 have their outer ends secured to the ends of these shafts.

The locking assembly comprises a base 44 secured to the underside of table top 35 at the central portion thereof by fasteners 45. Side flanges 46 of base 44 have slots 47 in the opposite ends thereof for the reception of locking sections 38 of the leg units. A clamping bar 48 is pivotally supported by brackets 49 held by base 44 and has a handle 50 movable between locking and unlocking positions. A retaining clip 51 is secured to the underside of table top 35 in position to receive one leg 39 of leg unit 37 when in its folded position, this leg unit overlying leg unit 36 in the present embodiment.

In operation of the embodiment of Figures 5-8, assume an initial condition in which the table is folded as shown in Figure 8. In order to extend the table, an end of one leg 39 of leg unit 37 is grasped from the operator and lifted from the underside of table top 35. Clip 51 will release leg unit 37 so that its locking section 38 may be drawn toward and inserted into slot 47 on the right hand side of Figure 8. It will be noted that this movement is in contrast to that described with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1-4. This is because the folded condition of the embodiment of Figures 5-8 is such that legs 39 of each leg unit point in the opposite direction to that in which they extend when the table is upright. Leg

- unit 36 may then be unfolded in a manner similar to that for leg unit 37, locking section 38 thereof being placed in the lefthand slot in Figure 8. Handle 50 of clamping bar 48 may then be swung from its unlocking to its locking position.

In order to fold the table, handle 50 is first swung to its unlocking position; Locking section 38 of leg unit 36 is then withdrawn from its slot 47 and moved to the left in Figure 6 until it reaches the position of Figure 8, the leg unit and struts 41 being folded into flush relation with the underside of table top 35. Locking section 38 of leg unit 37 is then-withdrawn to' the right, unit 35 being placed in overlying relation with unit 36 and into spring clip 51. It should be observed that despite the fact that a round table top is used, the novel and improved construction of this invention enables the'legs to be folded within the peripheral confines of the table, the legs being of sufiicient length to provide normal table top height when extended.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a table top, a pair of U-shaped leg units, each of said units having a central locking section and a pair of legs, a pair of struts for each leg unit, means securing each pair of struts to the underside of the table top for pivotal movement on a common axis, means securing the opposite ends of each pair of struts to their corresponding leg unit for pivotal movement on a common axis, whereby said leg units are movable between a folded position in substantially parallel relation with the underside of said table top and an extended position, and means for releasably securing said leg unit locking sections to the central portion of said table top when said units are in their extended position, said securing means and struts forming triangularly spaced connecting points between each leg unit and the table top.

2. In a construction for a table with folding legs, a table top, a pair of U-shaped leg units having a central locking section and a pair of legs extending in flared relation therefrom, a pair of struts for each of said leg units, means securing the ends of each pair of struts to the underside of said table top for pivotal movement on a common axis, the pivotal axes of said pairs of struts being in spaced parallel relation, means securing the opposite ends of each pair of struts to an intermediate portion of its corresponding leg unit for pivotal movement on a common axis, said leg Units being movable between a folded position in parallel relation with said table top and an extended position, and means for clamping said leg unit locking sections in parallel relation to the central portion of said table top underside when said leg units are in extended position, the pivotal connections between said struts and said table top being spaced outwardly from said clamping means.

3. In a construction for a table having folding legs, a table top, a pair of U-shaped leg units having central sections and legs extending in flared fashion therefrom, a pair of struts for each of said leg units, means pivotally securing each pair of struts to the underside of said table top, means pivotally securing the opposite ends of each pair of struts to their corresponding leg unit, the leg units being movable between a folded position parallel to said table top and an extended position, and means for clamping said leg unit central sections to the underside of said table top, the pivotal connections between said struts and said table top being spaced outwardly from said clamping means, whereby said leg units will be inclined outwardly from said central portion of the table top when in extended position.

4. In a construction for tables having folded legs, a table top, a pair of leg units each comprising a central section and a pair of legs extending therefrom in flared fashion, a plurality of struts for each of said leg units, means pivotally securing the struts for each leg unit to the underside of said table top, pivotal connections between the opposite ends of said struts and their corresponding leg unit, the leg units being movable between a folded position in parallel relation with said table top and in extended position, one of said leg units when in their folded position overlapping the other leg unit, the legs of said leg units being within the peripheral confines of said table top when in their folded position, and means for clamping said leg unit central sections to the central portion of said table, the pivotal connections between said struts and said table top being spaced outwardly from said clamping means, whereby said clamping means and said struts provide triangularly spaced connecting points between each leg unit and the table top.

5. The combination according to claim 4, the pivotal connections between said struts and said leg units being such that said struts are in parallel relation with said tabletop when said leg units are in folded position and are inclined upwardly and outwardly from said leg units to said table top when the leg units are in extended position. i

6. In a construction for tables having folding legs, a table top, a U-shaped leg unit having a central section and a pair of legs extending therefrom, a pair of struts pivotally secured to the underside of said table top, means pivotally securing the opposite ends of said struts to said leg unit, the leg unit being movable between a folded position in parallel relation with the underside of said table top and an extended position in inclined relation thereto, and means for clamping the central section of said leg unit to the underside of said table top when said leg unit is in extended position, the pivotal connections for'said struts being so disposed that the struts will be in parallel relation with said table top when said leg unit is in folded position and will be inclined upwardly and outwardly from said leg unit when the said leg unit is in an extended position, whereby said struts and clamping means provide triangularly spaced connecting points between said leg unit and said table top.

7. The combination according to claim 6, the legs of said leg unit flaring from said central section, the length of said legs being such that the leg unit is within the peripheral confines of said table top when in folded position.

8. In a construction for tables having folding legs, a table top, a pair of U-shaped leg units each having a central section and a pair of legs extending therefrom, a supporting shaft extending between intermediate portions of each of said pairs of legs, means on said legs rotatably supporting said shafts, a pair of struts for each leg unit, said. struts being secured to opposite ends of said shaft, means pivotally securing the other ends of said struts to the underside of said table top, said leg units being movable between a folded position in parallel relation with said table top and an extended position in inclined relation thereto, and means for clamping said leg unit central sections to the central portion of said table top underside when in extended position, the disposition of said pivotal connections between said struts and said table top being such that said struts are inclined upwardly and outwardly from said leg units to said table top when the leg units are in extended position.

9. In a construction for tables having fol-ding legs, a pair of U-shaped leg units having central sections and legs extending therefrom, a pair of struts for each leg unit, means pivotally connecting each pair of struts to the underside of said table, means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of each pair of struts to their corresponding leg unit, the leg units being movable between a folded position in parallel relation with said table top and an extended position in inclined relation thereto, the length of said legs being such that said leg units are within the peripheral confines of said table when in folded position, a base secured to the central portion of said table underside, a pair of slotted portions at opposite ends of said base, said leg unit central sections being disposable within said slots when said leg units are in extended position, a clamping bar pivoted on said base, a pair of clamping portions at opposite ends of said bar, and a handle on said clamping bar, the clamping bar being movable between a releasing position in which said clamping portions are away from said slots and a clamping position in which said clamping portions are engageable with said leg unit central sections to clamp said sections against the slot ends.

10. The combination according to claim 9, the pivotal connections between said struts and said table top being spaced outwardly from said base, whereby said struts are inclined upwardly and outwardly from said leg units to said table top when the leg units are extended.

11. The combination according to claim 9, said means for pivotally connecting said struts to said leg units comprising a supporting shaft rotatably mounted on each leg unit, said struts being secured to opposite ends of said supporting Shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 r Johnson Nov. 10, 1925 Zimmerman May 24, 1927 Cuffel Dec. 25, 1934 Cowan Feb. 2, 1954 Henle Nov. 30,1954

FOREIGN PATENTS France Apr. 9, 1929 

